What does your body language say about your character? Are schools preventing children from being creative? Topics such as these have been covered by TED Speakers across the world, and have been documented for people to tune in online.
In this article, we’ll take a look at five of the most popular TED Talks selected by TEDxDoncaster, all of which are founded upon a varied array of interests and topics,.
1. Do Schools Kill Creativity? – Sir Ken Robinson, 2006
Sir Ken Robinson presents an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that treats creativity as a priority – considering it with such importance and integrity that surrounds educational areas like numeracy and literacy.
Robinson suggests that by diminishing creativity at a younger age, as we grow, we become afraid to be wrong. Industries as we know them have become founded upon this philosophy that mistakes are the worst things a person can make.
One story Robinson shares encourages us to reconsider the way we perceive behaviours in children. Perhaps we’re too quick to assume that children have underlying disorders that could be affecting their behaviours in environments such as the classroom. Perhaps these behaviours are inner passions trying to make their way into the limelight?
You can watch the full TED Talk here.
2. Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are – Amy Cuddy, TEDGlobal 2012
Body language can affect the way in which we are perceived by other people, but it may also change the way we see ourselves.
Cuddy, a social psychologist, argues that “power posing” – standing in a posture that oozes confidence, even when we don’t feel close to being confident – can boost feelings of, you guessed it, confidence.
By changing our body language could we actually start to improve our chances of success?
Find out by watching the full TED Talk here.
3. What Makes a Good Life? Lessons From the Longest Study on Happiness – Robert Waldinger, TEDxBeaconStreet 2015
What is it that triggers happiness in our lives, and what is it that keeps us going; keeps us healthy as we grow older?
Fame and money are common answers for a lot of people, you’re not alone if you think that too but, according to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, you’re wrong.
After directing a 75-year-old study on adult development, Waldinger has unrivalled access to data on true happiness and where exactly we source our satisfaction for being alive.
In this talk, we hear about three important lessons that derive from Waldinger’s studies as well as some practical wisdom on how to build a fulfilling, long life.
Watch the full TED Talk here.
4. How to Spot a Liar – Pamela Meyer, TEDGlobal 2011
Today, yesterday and most days in between you’ve been lied to. On any given day, people are lied to from 10 to 200 times.
Pamela Meyer suggests the clues to detect those lies can be subtle and counter-intuitive. Meyer, the author of the book ‘Lifespotting” shows the mannerisms and behaviours used by those trained to recognise deception.
Meyer is a firm believer that honesty is one of the most valued characteristics a person can have, a value that is worth preserving.
Find out how you can spot a liar here.
5. Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator – Tim Urban, TED2016
Procrastination is something we’re all capable of. If there’s any former or current university students reading this, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about.
Tim Urban knows that procrastination makes little sense, but like many, he’s never quite been able to shake off the habit of leaving things until the last minute to get things done.
In this hilarious and insightful TED Talk, Urban projects a voyage through late night YouTube binges, Wikipedia rabbit holes and bouts of staring vacantly out of a window.
This talk encourages us to think harder about what we’re really procrastinating on because time always runs out.
The full talk is available to watch here.
